The Movies of October
Here we are, friends, that magical month of October, the time the ghosts prowl the night, the ghouls feast on human souls and the undead rise from the ashes, by which I mean there’s another Rocky movie in the works. October, let’s face it, is not traditionally a great time for movies - with the exception of the rare horror gem. But will October 2006 be a total dud at the box office? Let’s take a look…
Opening October 6:
The Departed. Director Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas) is back with yet another hard-boiled crime drama. This time, a young undercover cop (Leonardo DiCaprio, Gangs of New York) is infiltrating the mob of a crimelord (Jack Nicholson, Anger Management). At the same time, a criminal (Matt Damon, The Brothers Grimm) has begun infiltrating the police department as an informer, while secretly feeding information to the mob. Scorsese has a unique gift for crime drama - the man makes them like nobody else can. It should be interesting to note, also, that this is the third film in a row he’s made with DiCaprio (the two also collaborated on Gangs of New York and The Aviator), making one wonder if there is truth to my friend Chase’s theory that the two men have decided to work together exclusively until one or the other wins an Oscar.
Employee of the Month. Stand-up comedian Dane Cook makes his starring debut in this comedy about a longtime retail employee who suddenly decides to get his act together to win the affections of a beautiful new checkout girl (Jessica Simpson, The Beverly Hillbillies). I’m not a fan of Simpson by any stretch of the imagination, but darn it, Cook is funny. Could he be enough to carry her? I’ll probably find out.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. This film fits into several categories: “Obligatory October horror film,” “Unnecessary Prequel,” “Unnecessary Remake” and so forth. Basically, if you watched (the remake of) the first Texas Chainsaw Massacre, this is the story that comes before that film, showing how a Vietnam draft dodger winds up running afoul of a murderous clan of Texans. The film features Jordanna Brewster (Annapolis), R. Lee Ermey (X-Men: The Last Stand) and Heather Kafka (Natural Selection) and is directed by Jonathan Liebesman (Darkness Falls). This one is simple. If you liked the first one, you’ll want to see this. If you didn’t, you won’t.
Opening October 13:
Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker. Newcomer Alex Pettyfer plays Alex Rider, a teenager who learns his uncle (Ewan McGregor, The Island) is actually a secret agent who has been secretly grooming him for years to join his ranks. When his uncle disappears, Alex has to find him, save him, and save the world. The film also features Robbie Coltrane (the Harry Potter movies), Mickey Rourke (Sin City) and Bill Nighy (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest). For a movie with such a dubious premise, I’ve got to admit, it’s got a pretty strong cast. It may be worth checking out.
The Grudge 2. Remember what I wrote for Texas Chainsaw Massacre? Most of that applies here. Sarah Michelle Gellar returns in the sequel to her horror semi-hit, this time joined by Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia), in the story of a girl afflicted by the same curse that once tormented her sister, as a supernatural force fills one person after another with unrelenting rage. Let’s repeat: “If you liked the first one, you’ll want to see this. If you didn’t, you won’t.”
Man of the Year. Robin Williams (The Night Listener) and Laura Linney (Kinsey) star in this comedy about a television satirist (think Jon Stewart) who - as a lark - runs for President of the United States… and wins. Williams seems back to his comedic roots on this one, although any sort of political satire in this day and age runs a serious risk of being too heavy-handed. I’ll wait to hear some verdicts before I make up my mind on whether I’ll see this one or not.
The Marine. Professional wrestler John Cena makes his feature film debut as John Triton, a heroic Marine returning from service in Iraq. As he makes it home, his wife (Kelly Carlson, Starship Troopers 2) is kidnapped, and he’ll put all of his skills to the test to save her. With the obvious exception of the late Andre the Giant, I’ve been terribly unimpressed by the various wrestlers who have tried to make the transition to “actor.” Still, this may make for a decent, if standard, action flick.
Opening October 20:
Flags of Our Fathers. Director Clint Eastwood (Unforgiven) gets behind the camera again in the true story of the military men who became national heroes after a photograph of them planting the American Flag at Iwo Jima drove the nation forward in the war in the Pacific. The film features Ryan Phillippe (Crash), Adam Beach (Now and Forever), Jesse Bradford (Heights), Jamie Bell (Dear Wendy) and Ben Walker (The Magician). I’m not really a fan of Phillippe, and the others are unknown to me, but if anyone can use them to make a top-notch World War II drama, it’s Eastwood.
Flicka. Alison Lohman (Matchstick Men) stars in this remake of the tale of a girl struggling against living the life her father wants for her, who finds freedom in a wild stallion she names Flicka. A girl and her horse. Not my cup of tea, but it’ll probably be popular with the tween girl demographic.
Marie Antoinette. Kirsten Dunst (Spider-Man) takes on the role of the colorful French queen in this period drama about her life. The film also features Jason Schwartzman (Shopgirl), Rip Torn (Men in Black) and Molly Shannon (Superstar). The best thing the movie has going for it is really its director, Sophia Coppola, whose Lost in Translation was fantastic.
The Prestige. This is my most-anticipated film of October, friends. Hugh Jackman (the X-Men movies), Christian Bale (Batman Begins), Michael Caine (Around the Bend), David Bowie (Labyrinth) and Scarlett Johansson (Scoop) star in this drama about two stage magicians who are drawn into a feud to destroy one another. The movie is directed by Christopher Nolan, who between Memento and Batman Begins has proven he can do the best psychological dramas you’ll ever see. I can’t wait to see this movie.
Opening October 27:
Saw III. Wow, they’re turning these out fast, aren’t they? In the third installment of the new horror franchise in as many years, the serial killer called Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) has gone underground with his new apprentice (Shawnee Smith). As detectives race to find him, a young doctor (Bahar Soomekh, Crash) is drawn into his latest game. The challenge, at this point in the franchise, is to continue to find ways to up the ante with the gore and death while still turning out a good story. Time will tell how long this series can make it.